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Why are illegal immigrants given many of the same rights as US citizens?

Since when is being illegal legal?

8 Answers

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  • Phil
    Lv 7
    1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    Because it isthe American Way.

    Most of the rights specified in the constitution are granted to "ANY person" or "EVERY person" not "Citizens". Unless the Constitution's exact wording restricts a right to citizens then it is available to everyone, even illegal aliens.

    Most commonly this would include the Equal Protection clause of the 14th amendment which states:

    Section 1.

    ... No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of CITIZENS of the United States; nor shall any state deprive ANY PERSON of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to ANY PERSON within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

  • 1 decade ago

    can u state these rights? or are u just babbling.

    Everyone in this country is afforded due process under the law. If you're illegal that means u get out.

    however if you are illegal and have children the government will not let them starve and u can get support for them like food stamps.

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    Because the constitution does not restrict rights to US citizens. For example, the 14th amendment says "no PERSON shall be denied life, liberty, or property, without due process, etc." It does not say "no citizen" or "no legal resident".

  • Because the Constitution says "the right of the people" and not so much "the right of the citizen". I don't really agree with it either but I can't demand that we just follow the parts of the Constitution I like and ignore the parts I don't.

    They have (human) rights but that doesn't mean we can't imprison or deport them.

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  • 1 decade ago

    Because the Constitution grants its rights to any person in the country.

    The only things that are constitutionally granted specifically (and exclusively) to citizens are the right to vote and holding political office.

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    Well, because there is something called basic human rights.

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    Since liberals have ignored the law for years.

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    Becasue Americans that hire them motivate them to come here.

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